June 4, 1974
10-Cent Beer Night In Cleveland is a Disaster
Unlimited 10-cent beers, at a baseball game between two rival teams. What could go wrong? Cleveland had been struggling to bring fans out in 1974, with the average game attendance falling below the league average of 15,500.However, on this night, more than 25,000 people showed up, outnumbering security guards500 to 1. Tomfoolery plagued the game between Cleveland and the Texas Rangers, beginning with flashing, streaking and even one woman trying to kiss an umpire. But as the crown got more inebriated, the shenanigans became violent. Fireworks were shot into the Rangers dugout and players were pelted with food and drinks. Somehow the game continued, and in the bottom of the ninth inning, the home team tied it up. Then a fan tried to steal a Texas player’s hat. A riot ensued. It ended with police deploying batons and tear gas. There were a handful of arrests. The ump forfeited the game in Texas’s favour and one broadcaster described it as “an absolute tragedy I’ve never seen anything as disgusting as this.” Apparently, about 60,000 beers were purchased at the game At 10 cents a pop, Cleveland would have netted $6000 from beer sales.
You don't have to be a good sport, to be a mad one.
